LA PLATA, Md.—With the potential to increase its student scholarship and programs funds by $60,000, the College of Southern Maryland is looking forward to matching gifts donated to the CSM Foundation during the worldwide movement of GivingTuesday on Dec. 2.

An international day of generosity following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday launches a season of generosity, focused on giving to others after three days focused on consumerism.

"This worldwide day of GivingTuesday can be powerful beyond imagination as we enter this traditional season of gratitude and giving," said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. "With partners, including the CSM Foundation, generously pledging to match up to $30,000, we are looking at the potential of having $60,000 dedicated to help our students afford college. We have an incredible opportunity to impact more students than ever by simply paying it forward and encouraging our friends and neighbors to do the same on December 2."

Donations to CSM's one-day, online GivingTuesday event may be made to support scholarships for students attending CSM as well as programs in the arts, athletics, health sciences, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Supporting #GivingTuesday with matching scholarship funds are the Florence B. Trueman Scholarship fund in Calvert County, the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Foundation Scholarship Fund in Charles County and the Chiaramonte Hope Scholarship Fund in St. Mary's County. Additionally, the CSM Foundation will match all donations given toward arts, athletics, health sciences, Career Starters and STEM.

"Giving to scholarships isn't about paying for courses, it's about changing the course of someone's life," said CSM Foundation Chair Chris Rush. "When you consider that the funds for one full-ride scholarship at an in-state, four-year college could assist eight students attend or complete college at CSM, just imagine the impact to our community to change lives, inspire success and launch careers."

CSM student Carly Penny, of La Plata, said of a recent Greater Waldorf Jaycee scholarship she received, "This scholarship made the difference of me going to school or not. It has been hard for my family to afford tuition for me and my twin sister at the same time. The scholarship has helped me pursue my degree without having to acquire student loan debt, or have to work full time. The scholarship will even allow me to graduate more quickly by being able to take more classes each semester. You have made a difference in my life and many others and your generosity will never be forgotten."

CSM's online giving page is at http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation where supporters will be able to donate as well as use social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email and other platforms to share with their friends and family throughout the day, either from their keyboards or smartphones.

#GivingTuesday also provides opportunities to win hourly prizes, which can be viewed at http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation and include a wellness package and a GoPro Camera provided by the CSM Wellness, Fitness and Aquatics and the CSM College Store, a sports package featuring a golf outing by Swan Point Yacht and County Club and University of Maryland men's lacrosse tickets by a UMD Men's Lacrosse player's parents, a holiday dinner from McKay's Supermarkets and a Holiday package featuring Solomons Business Association members.

Any size donation is appreciated, but a minimum $10 donation is required to give online. To learn about CSM's projects and to donate beginning at 12 a.m., Dec. 2, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation.